Debate experience
Description of an out-of-school influence on your academic development So the word debate brings back a lot of memories for me. There have been great experiences like wining my fifth place varsity medal but that’s a story for another time. It took a lot of work to get to that point. Since the very first day of debate practice I began to learn a lot of things. The basic format of debate is reading off a case and answering an opponent’s point to ensure victory. When I was given my case it essentially consisted of 30 pages for affirmative and 30 pages for negative. I spent most of my practice time understanding policies and what the government can do with their power. The basic topic of the debates were mass transit, this is any mode of transportation. I was very serious about this work because it was happening around me every day. So I decided to look into this issue a little bit more, I did my own studying on the subject on mass transit. In my research I realized that there were better ways to answer questions that my opponent gave me. This knowledge ultimately helped me in school. I began to look at all of my classes in different ways. I did more outside research on topics in English class. I realized how to discover good sources when I’m looking for information on a writer. I gained critical thinking skills from debate that I used to understand what the teacher is saying in class. Debate even helped me in history class, were I gained a greater understanding of the government and congress. The note taking that I used in debate began to work in my advantage in everyday class. Every time I listened to a lecture in class I took understandable notes and wrote good questions that helped me understand the class better. The most important thing that debate has done for me is help me with my communication skills and public speaking. For my senior project I had the confidence to talk in front of 3 of my teachers and 2 representatives of my topic. I passed my senior project with a B-. I learned how to pronounce my words and speak fast in my everyday life. Although my teachers didn’t like it when my spoke fast it helped me get all of my points in when giving a presentation. If it wasn't for debate I would have a harder time with my senior project. I used my skills to get good information on my topic, then I began to ask the questions that would help me solve any problems I had with the project. I then presented my project whenever I could so I could get practice going through the slides without any problems. Debate can help any kid having problems with public speaking. It can get people out of their shells and talking to anyone who will listen. Debate helps kids with dedication and knowledge because if it can help me it can help anyone.
Description of an out-of-school influence on your academic development
So the word debate brings back a lot of memories for me. There have been great experiences like wining my fifth place varsity medal but that’s a story for another time. It took a lot of work to get to that point. Since the very first day of debate practice I began to learn a lot of things. The basic format of debate is reading off a case and answering an opponent’s point to ensure victory. When I was given my case it essentially consisted of 30 pages for affirmative and 30 pages for negative. I spent most of my practice time understanding policies and what the government can do with their power. The basic topic of the debates were mass transit, this is any mode of transportation. I was very serious about this work because it was happening around me every day. So I decided to look into this issue a little bit more, I did my own studying on the subject on mass transit. In my research I realized that there were better ways to answer questions that my opponent gave me. This knowledge ultimately helped me in school. I began to look at all of my classes in different ways. I did more outside research on topics in English class. I realized how to discover good sources when I’m looking for information on a writer. I gained critical thinking skills from debate that I used to understand what the teacher is saying in class. Debate even helped me in history class, were I gained a greater understanding of the government and congress. The note taking that I used in debate began to work in my advantage in everyday class. Every time I listened to a lecture in class I took understandable notes and wrote good questions that helped me understand the class better. The most important thing that debate has done for me is help me with my communication skills and public speaking. For my senior project I had the confidence to talk in front of 3 of my teachers and 2 representatives of my topic. I passed my senior project with a B-. I learned how to pronounce my words and speak fast in my everyday life. Although my teachers didn’t like it when my spoke fast it helped me get all of my points in when giving a presentation. If it wasn't for debate I would have a harder time with my senior project. I used my skills to get good information on my topic, then I began to ask the questions that would help me solve any problems I had with the project. I then presented my project whenever I could so I could get practice going through the slides without any problems. Debate can help any kid having problems with public speaking. It can get people out of their shells and talking to anyone who will listen. Debate helps kids with dedication and knowledge because if it can help me it can help anyone.